Stuttgart vs Sparta Prague

MHPArena is the venue as Stuttgart and Sparta Prague go head-to-head in a handsomely-looking UEFA Champions League showdown.

Stuttgart’s return to Europe’s top table after 13 years away didn’t go to plan as Real Madrid defeated Sebastian Hoeness’ team 3-1 in Spain on matchday one. ‘Die Schwaben’ responded to that result with an emphatic 5-1 home win against Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, yet they needed a stoppage-time equalizer to snatch a 2-2 draw at Wolfsburg last weekend. History backs Stuttgart to get off the mark in the Champions League this week, considering they’ve won both previous home European matches against Prague-based clubs, including a 2-1 triumph against Sparta’s bitter rivals Slavia Prague in the 1997/98 Cup Winners’ Cup. Stuttgart can take more confidence from their free-scoring form at the MHPArena, as they’ve netted 3+ goals in their last six home league outings (W5, D1), suggesting a high-scoring theme could be on the cards.

In the meantime, Sparta Prague embarked on their first Champions League campaign since 2005/06 with a standout 3-0 home victory against RB Salzburg, maintaining their prolific European form under new manager Lars Friis. The Czech heavyweights have yet to lose a continental fixture this term despite joining the Champions League qualifying in the second round (W6, D1), bagging at least two goals in all six wins. However, their brilliant league start (W7, D1) ended abruptly in the build-up to this clash as they unexpectedly slipped to a 3-2 home defeat to Bohemians. With the mouth-watering Prague derby waiting around the corner, Iron Sparta will be out to bolster their spirits and post their first UEFA-sanctioned triumph on German soil since 1992 (D3, L2 since).